The Murray State News October 13, 2016
TheNews.org
‘Marketplace of Ideas’: Davies seeks student-help
Vol. 91, No. 7
Abigail Siegel News Editor
asiegel@murraystate.edu
President Bob Davies sent an email Monday afternoon to all students, faculty and staff urging them to share advice and wisdom on how to further Murray State as the “Marketplace of Ideas” during a time of tension within the United States. “Over the past year, and with increased intensity, we are witnessing a time in the history of our country where issues of race, equality, social justice and concerns of
personal safety are being raised,” Davies wrote in the email. The email included a link to a Google form titled “Campus Climate Strategy Proposals” and included questions regarding initiating cultural change and how to make the proposal happen, including questions about necessary resources and inclusion of regional campuses. “Recognizing that our campus community has some incredible insights, we’re asking everyone to share their ideas and sugges-
tions,” said Adrienne King, vice president of University Advancement. “The online form idea was generated as an easy way to gather this advice from all of our campus community.” King said Davies will assemble a task force that represents faculty, staff, students and alumni. The taskforce will review the submitted ideas and provide recommendations to university leadership. The university will fulfill many of the ideas at the beginning of the
see LETTER, page 2
g n i m o c 6 e 1 0 m Ho urt 2 Co
Consulting firms evaluate university’s auxiliary services
Homecoming King Nominees Michael Mann Springfield, KY Robert Rosa Bloomington, IL Caleb Brannon Puryear, TN Cole Reichert Belleville, IL McKenna Dosier/The News
Ashley Traylor || Staff writer atraylor@murraystate.edu
MGT America and Porter Khouw consulting firms evaluated Murray State’s auxiliary operations and facilities and the University Store is making its recommended changes. The consultants were on campus Sept. 7-9. They met with the auxiliary division - which includes housing, dining, the bookstore and printing services - as well as focus groups, administrators, faculty, students and staff. Public Relations wrote in an official university statement to The Murray State News, Murray State asked for an auxiliary consultant to review their auxiliary operations over the summer and make recommendations on how the services can be financially beneficial and maintain quality. The statement said Murray State currently does not outsource any of their services. “The consultants could recommend some level of outsourcing; however, it is too early in their review process to comment on any expected recommendations,” Public Relations wrote in the statement.
Kathryn Matthews, freshman from Louisville, Kentucky, said she shops at the University Store frequently and does not want it to be an outsourced entity. “I feel like it would be a waste,” Matthews said. “I mean we come to this university and then you try to help out the university as much as you can...you think the bookstore money would go to improve the bookstore.” Kathryn Fereday, freshman from Chesterfield, Virginia, said she does not shop at the University Store often but does not want it to outsource. “There’s a lot of pros and cons to it, but right now I think the bookstore is doing a pretty good job how it is and I don’t want to see it change too much,” Fereday said. Karol Hardison, director of the University store said Murray State is not looking to outsource their services. Hardison said she doesn’t know what to expect if outsourcing were to occur and she said she hopes it does not happen. “By having our institutional store, we get to cater more toward what our students want,” Hardison said.
Austin Spicer Paducah, KY
Homecoming Queen Nominees Emily Mundt Prospect, KY Caitlin Dunaway Salem, IL Kelsey Bogard Murray, KY Amie Jones Hopkinsville, KY
see BOOKSTORE, page 2
Jordan Maberry Paducah, KY
Sex reassignment surgery ‘One Stop to be covered in 2017 Shop’ opens
Ashley Traylor || Staff writer atraylor@murraystate.edu
Murray State’s insurance and benefits will cover sex reassignment beginning Jan. 1, 2017 in compliance with the Affordable Care Act. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule May 13 to provide health equity and prohibit health discrimination under section 1557. According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “individuals are protected from discrimination in health care on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability and sex, including discrimination based on pregnancy, gender identity and sex stereotyping.” An email was sent to members of the insurance and the benefits committee informing
WHAT’S
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faculty and staff that Anthem, the university health care provider, will cover these procedures beginning in the new year. Peggy Pittman-Munke, social work interim program director, said she believes sex reassignment is beneficial to the campus community because there are people struggling to pay for the operation, and some are denied access to needed medical help under current insurance plans. She said some will deprive themselves of the operation when they cannot pay for it. “This helps people get needed healthcare as well as emphasizing to medical providers the need to be aware of best practices in this area,” Pittman-Munke said. The insurance and benefits committee received a request from the office of LGBT Programming and Advisory Com-
mittee to modify the health plan to include hormone therapy, mental health services and gender affirmation surgery, but they learned the current plan covers hormone therapy and counseling, but not the surgery, according to the email. Murray State works with Anthem to provide an insurance plan in compliance with the current Affordable Care Act, and the law incorporates coverage for all gender transition services, according to a statement from university officials. According to Anthem’s guidelines for sex reassignment, individuals undergoing sex reassignment surgery must meet the following requirements: at least 18 years of age, the ability to make informed decisions, a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, one year of hormone therapy documented by a health professional, previous participation in
psychotherapy, no uncontrolled health issues and referrals from mental health professionals. Sex reassignment is a treatment for those with cases of gender dysphoria, a condition where an individual does not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. Pittman-Munke said she believes it will take the community time to adjust to the new healthcare change, like it took time to adjust to pregnancy coverage 30 years ago. She said she hopes sex reassignment will be routinely covered by health insurances. “The university will continue to work with our insurance plan administrator to ensure that, based on their interruption of the law, that university insurance plans are fully compliant with the Affordable Care Act,” according to statement from university officials.
next Spring Emily Williams || Contributing writer
ewilliams15@murraystate.edu
Fred Dietz, associate vice president of Enrollment Management, said Murray State will have a “one-stop shop” for information for students during the first week of Spring 2016 and the first two weeks of the Fall 2017. The one-stop shop will integrate the Bursar, Scholarship, Financial Aid and Registrar offices. The location has not been finalized, though Dietz said it will
likely take place in the Curris Center. “The idea is to have numerous offices in one area at the beginning of each fall and spring semester so that students do not have to go from one side of campus to the other side of campus to get answers to questions,” Dietz said. “We hope this idea will offer students some convenience and enable answers to be obtained in one area without the stress of going from building to build-
see ONE-STOP, page 2
GREEKS v. WORLD
UP ‘TIL DAWN
OUR VIEW
WHITE OUT
More than half of $35,000 goal raised, page 3
Back talking the locker room, page 4
Racers prepare for Austin Peay, ISO and Greeks face off in soccer match, page 9 page 7
The News
News
Page 2
October 13, 2016
SpringHill Suites Hotel to open Nov. 9 Michelle Hawks
Contributing writer mhawks@murraystate.edu
The SpringHill Suites hotel will not be open for Homecoming weekend. A hotel employee said it is set to open on Nov. 9th. They are currently taking reservations beginning on Nov. 30th. Erin Carrico, Executive Director of the Murray Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, said there were currently 387 hotel rooms in Murray; the Marriott will provide 86 new rooms once it opens, raising the number of rooms in Murray from 387 to 473. According to the hotel’s website, the hotel will provide guests with two types of luxury suites, as well as complimentary breakfast, free wireless internet, a fitness center and three meeting spaces.
The hotel will be located near the Holiday Inn and Best Western hotels. As for Homecoming weekend, Carrico said though they could not estimate exactly how many people would be attending the weekend’s festivities, all of the hotel rooms available for reservations have been booked. “We know a lot of people are having to stay up at the lakes or with family because we don’t have enough hotel rooms,” Carrico said. According to records, Corco Construction, a company out of Little Rock, Arkansas, won the bid to build the hotel. Representatives from the company declined to comment on the project or its completion date. The Homecoming football game is set for Saturday, Oct. 29. Festivities will begin on Friday, Oct. 28 and end on Sunday, Oct. 30.
McKenna Dosier/The News
Construction of the SpringHill Suites in progress.
BOOKSTORE From Page 1 She said the University Store has relationships with representatives from vendors like Columbia, Russell, Jansport and Champion. She said representatives set up the clothes and students and staff can pick out designs they like. Matthews said she loves the feeling she gets when she buys merchandise from the bookstore. “You have a weird sense of, ‘yeah, I’m buying from the university bookstore. Look at this hoodie I got from Murray State
University,’” Matthews said. She said she is proud of the University Store and the people who work there. “Well, I think we have a great store,” Hardison said. “And our national college store associate they also think we run a great operation. I’ve been in these stores and they are very nice too, but we are more student -oriented.” The university included in their statement that the university should receive a report from MGT America and Porter Khouw at the end of November, and then they will determine possible changes in auxiliary services.
Proposed University Store Changes Hardison said the consultants gave her a number of tips to generate revenue for the store, including: • Carrying apparel with the word “alumni” • During sports camps, go and merchandise, in case they cannot make it the store • Carrying cosmetics for women • Book signings • Tailgating tents with the Murray State logo
ONE-STOP From Page 1 ing.” Janet Balok, financial aid director, said the one-stop shop is still in the “very early planning stages” and the depth of information that will be provided to students is still undecided. “We’re still trying to determine if it will be more general-
LETTER From Page 1 academic year. Davies said this process follows Murray State’s community pledge and its four principles of accepting one another, learning from one another, creating an atmosphere of positive engagement and challenging bigotry. “To create this environment of sharing, reflecting and learning, I am asking for
ized answers or more in-depth answers that are going to be offered,” Balok said. “We’re all doing some research in our individual departments and we will reconvene in a couple of weeks to try to determine which route we want to take.” Clint Combs, president of the Student Government Association, said the idea was presented to SGA on Sept. 28 as an idea that came from the president’s office. “The concept is based around creating an easy-to-
find location and staff it with members of some of the most trafficked offices on campus for the first couple weeks of classes,” Combs said. “Since scholarships is located in the Curris Center and financial aid is in Sparks Hall, it can often be a confusing hike for some students, as they try to get all of the start of semester kinks worked out.” Combs said he believes it is important to note that the shop will be limited in scope of what they can offer
because they won’t be relocating the entire office. However, he said they will be able to provide many of the basic services and refer others to their main office for more in-depth issues. Combs said everyone who spoke up at the SGA meeting spoke in favor of the idea. “I think this is a great idea,” Combs said. “It is a great development to ensuring we are the best student-centered university in the nation.”
your help and leadership,” Davies wrote. “There are many individuals within our community who have ideas on how best to address and discuss the issues that are before us dealing with race, privilege and power, social inequities, prejudices, the power of culture diversity and the role of a university to empower new ideas, thoughts and actions.” Bryce Martin, senior from Taylorsville, Kentucky said he isn’t sure if he will be participating in the form as he doesn’t like that his name
would have to be included and he said he hasn’t thought of a decent idea yet. “I think that it would have a far greater impact if students and student organizations were leading the way in this and not the university administration,” Martin said. “To be perfectly honest I get so many emails from the university about things, which are good causes I’m sure, but it all becomes white noise after a while.” Martin said the Google form is a valid idea for getting these necessary discus-
sions going. “We are all adults here, this is an institution of higher learning so let’s act like it,” he said. King said race relations will be a main focus of the 2017 Presidential Lecture Series and will include discussion on the role the Murray State plays in facilitating the Marketplace of Ideas concept. According to the email, those who wish to participate in the survey must submit their responses using the Google form linked in the email by Nov. 18.
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October 13, 2016 News Editor: Abby Siegel Assistant Editor: Alicia Steele Phone: 270-809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews
POLICE BEAT Oct. 5
10:26 a.m. A caller reported a medical emergency at the Old Fine Arts Building. Officers, Murray Ambulance Service and Student Affairs were notified. The person was transported by Murray Ambulance Service and a medical report was taken. 11:17 p.m. A caller reported the smell of marijuana at James H. Richmond Residential College. Officers and the on-call residence director were notified and an information report was taken.
Oct. 6
3:54 a.m. A caller reported the theft of property in the Old Richmond Residential College parking lot. Officers were notified and a report was taken for theft by unlawful taking from a vehicle and fraudulent use of a credit card. 4:04 p.m. An officer reported information from Facilities Management in reference to a blown transformer at Winslow Dining Hall. The Murray Fire Department and the state fire marshal were notified, and a fire report was taken.
Oct. 7
12:18 a.m. A caller reported the smell of marijuana in Regents Residential College. Officers were notified and an information report was taken. 6:23 p.m. A person reported a suspicious bag at the Oakley Applied Science Building via the LiveSafe app. Officers were notified.
Oct. 8 5:02 p.m. Central Heating and Cooling Plant reported a fire alarm activation and an immediate restoral at Price Doyle Fine Arts Building. Officers were notified and activation was due to a communications failure. No actual alarm ever occurred. 7:55 p.m. A caller reported being trapped on an elevator in White Residential College and were able to get off the elevator. Central Heating and Cooling Plant was notified.
Oct. 9
Business professors win national award for research manuscript Emily Williams
Contributing writer ewilliams15@murraystate.edu
Murray State professors Murphy Smith, Katherine Taken Smith and Stefan Linnhoff of the Arthur J. Bauernfiend College of Business were awarded the KPMG Outstanding Published Manuscript Award from the American Accounting Association Gender Issues and Work-Life Balance Section. Murphy Smith said the team’s award-winning paper “A Longitudinal Analysis of Work-Life Balance Perspectives of Future Business Professionals” was recognized at the section’s annual meeting in New York City in August and published in Volume 8, Issue 5 of the “International Journal of Business Excellence.” “I worked on this research project because the issue of work-life balance is so very important to people in all walks of life,” Murphy Smith said. “My two co-authors, Dr. Stefan Linnhoff and Dr. Katherine Taken Smith, were equally interested in the topic. Work-life balance is strongly connected to ethics. No business can stay in business for long if it is not ethical and trustworthy.” Murphy Smith said he believes people sometimes lose sight of what gives life soul-deep satisfaction, which he compared to famous pieces of literature, film and celebrities. “In the gospel of Mark, Jesus of Nazareth put it this way: ‘What profit will a person have if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?’” Murphy Smith said. “Jim Carrey, the movie star, put it this way: ‘I wish everyone could get rich and famous and have everything they ever dreamed of so they
would know that’s not the answer.’” Murphy Smith said he believes that a person who spends his or her life pursuing material things above all else will find emptiness at the end. He said key findings mentioned in the paper were that work-life balance is strongly connected to job satisfaction, contributes to job performance and leads to better ethical decision-making. Robert Pervine, associate provost for Graduate Education and Research, said he is very proud of the “fine work” done by the professors. “They are three internationally-recognized scholars, and the award they won reflects the high caliber of their research,” Pervine said. “Students in the Bauernfiend College of Business are fortunate to be able to learn from these excellent faculty scholars.” Tim Todd, dean of Arthur J. Bauernfiend College of Business, said he is not only proud of the research done by these three professors, but of all faculty within the College of Business. “We have faculty that are engaged in their disciplines,” Todd said. “We have faculty that are very productive in their research agenda. And in this case, we have faculty who are publishing that research agenda and who are winning national awards.” Todd said he believes these professors have identified a body of knowledge that had not yet existed and are creating the knowledge through cutting-edge research. “The research is very, very important, just like teaching and service are,” Todd said. “I’m very proud of what they have done, and I would be proud even if they hadn’t won a national award. But winning an award is like the icing on the cake.”
Lindsey Coleman || Staff writer lcoleman7@murraystate.edu
Bellarmine Ezumah, professor of journalism and mass communications, has been chosen for the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program. Ezumah said the fellowship will sponsor her three-month trip to Uganda Martyrs University in Nkozi, Uganda, where she plans to co-develop a new communication program. According to the program website, the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program’s goal is “to facilitate equitable, effective and mutually beneficial international higher education engagements between scholars in Africa and African
Oct. 10
Oct. 11
12:56 p.m. A caller reported a possible domestic violence. Officers and the Housing Office were notified. The altercation was a verbal disagreement and an information report was taken. 7:44 p.m. A caller requested a vehicle unlock at the Wellness Center. Officers were notified. Racer assist – 0 Motorist assist – 2 Arrests - 2
Alicia Steele, Assistant News Editor, compiles Police Beat with materials provided by Public Safety and Emergency Management. Not all dispatched calls are listed.
Love Police Beat? You can check it out every week online, too, on TheNews.org.
Photo courtesy of Murphy Smith
Stefan Linnhoff, Murphy Smith and Katherine Taken Smith hold their awards.
Ezumah chosen for Carnegie fellowship
10:50 a.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop in the Regents Residential College parking lot. A verbal warning was issued for failure to wear a seatbelt. 11:29 p.m. A caller reported an unsecured vehicle in the Roy Stewart Stadium parking lot. Officers and the owner were notified. 1:58 a.m. Public Safety received a general incident report form reporting unwanted sexual contact by an acquaintance off-campus. Officers were notified and an information report was taken. 12:34 p.m. A caller reported a fight in progress at Racer Arena. Officers and Murray Ambulance Service were notified. One person was arrested for first-degree fleeing and evading and another person was served a warrant for failure to appear and arrested for first-degree fleeing and evading and fourth-degree assault.
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Jenny Rohl/The News
Bellarmine Ezumah teaching her Mass Media Effects class.
Diaspora academics in Canada and the United States.” She said the fellowship review board assessed many areas of her experience, including leadership roles, motivations, personal and professional interests and previous awards and fellowships. Ezumah said she applied for the fellowship in July 2016, and her approval email came during one of her classes at the end of September. “They want to design and start a communication program so I’m going there to help them develop the curriculum for this program,” Ezumah said. She said the program will be something similar to what Murray State offers, including advertising, journalism and public relations majors. “What will set this program apart is that it’s going to have a sequence that focuses on social and pastoral communication,” Ezumah said, “It will serve the needs of Ugandans.” Ezumah said quality is going to be the backbone of this program. She said she will spend the first few weeks of her time in Uganda conducting a needs assessment of the community, and she will find out what the stakeholders and media companies of the community need from the new communication program. Ezumah said another goal is to recruit and look at the quality and qualifications of teachers who could be a part of the program in Uganda. She said that her relationship will go beyond her three-month stay because she plans to conduct an ongoing formative evaluation, which would continuously evaluate the program and seek to improve it. “Also, what I plan to accomplish with this opportunity is to see if I can help jump-start a collaboration between Uganda Martyrs University and Murray State University,” Ezumah said, which she said could include study abroad opportunities in the future. Ezumah said her interest in the fellowship program stemmed from her African heritage and her extensive research about problems and issues in Africa.
“Part of my excitement is that this opportunity will give me a chance to implement some of those theoretical results that I have found in my research,” Ezumah said. “It’s not just to talk about them theoretically, but I get to do something about it.” Ezumah said she was born and raised in Nigeria and she moved to America to earn her undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. degrees. “I’m excited that I’m engaging in developing a program that will probably give young Africans a glimpse of some of the things that I learned here,” Ezumah said. Along with starting the communications program in Uganda next semester, Ezumah said she will continue to teach her Murray State courses. For her international communication course through Murray State, she said she plans to teach theoretical aspects of communication and incorporate firsthand East African media to apply the theories she teaches her students. She said she will use Skype, Canvas and email to communicate with her students while she is in Uganda. Tim Todd, dean of the Murray State Arthur J. Bauernfiend College of Business, said the college is very proud of Ezumah’s work. “Dr. Ezumah is a tremendous faculty member with an outstanding research agenda,” Todd said. “Her Carnegie Fellowship is extremely prestigious and is a high honor for her, the Journalism and Mass Communication Department and the Bauernfiend College of Business here at Murray State University.” Debbie Owens, interim chairwoman of Murray State’s Journalism and Mass Communication Department, also expressed her excitement for Ezumah. “The fact that she is taking the opportunity to build and structure their journalism and mass communication curriculum is just one more feather in our cap in terms of our own efforts to globalize the things that we do in this discipline,” Owens said.
Students stay Up ‘til Dawn for St. Jude Bella Utley
Contributing writer iutley@murraystate.edu
Murray State’s Up ‘til Dawn organization has raised more than half of their goal of $35,000 in honor of Alex Arnett, a freshman battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. According to the St. Jude Up ‘til Dawn website, students on campuses nationwide “stay up all night” during these events to raise money for kids battling cancer and other life threatening diseases. Through this fundraising, families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food because all a family should have to worry about is helping their child live, according to the St. Jude’s Up ‘til Dawn fundraising website. Katie Dunnavant, executive director of the Up ‘til Dawn fundraiser, said the St. Jude’s Up ‘til Dawn event has been on campus for three years. “We just saw this opportunity to show Alex some support so we
took it,” Dunnavant said. Dunnavant said the executive board that she works with truly cares about St. Jude and helping others. Dunnavant said that work definitely goes into planning fundraisers and recruitment events, but the motivation for it all is to raise money for St. Jude. “For students who want to get involved, they can register for our event in February and raise $100 by asking friends and family to support them in this awesome cause,” Dunnavant said. Rachel Ross, supporter of the Up ‘til Dawn organization, has been working with Arnett and the organization as much as possible. “I started up my Up ‘til Dawn team along with a lot of other women from my sorority after Alex was diagnosed and sent to St. Jude,” Ross said. “I also was in the dunk booth for two days during their national recruitment week.” Ross said she and Arnett grew up together but got closer during formal fall recruitment. “She’s someone whose smile is
Goal: $35,000 contagious and genuinely cares about everyone she comes into contact with,” Ross said. Ross is in Alpha Gamma Delta and said shirts and bracelets were made with Alpha Omicron Pi to gather support for Arnett, as well as Grace Ritchie. Ritchie was diagnosed last spring and is almost done with her treatments. “Our hope is that through fundraising we can help her and her family make a smooth transition with changes that will come with the road ahead,” Ross said. She said she has loved helping with the Up ‘til Dawn organization and getting the community involved. “Too often people say they are sorry something is happening but never try to make a difference,” Ross said. “ I’m just thankful there is such a big group effort, because that’s how we are really going to make an impact.”
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Graphic courtesy of Austin Gordon/The News
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October 13, 2016
The News
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The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board. Last week, a recording was released of Donald Trump making violently suggestive remarks about a failed sexual assault – one many have called “locker room” talk. As expected, the video has gone viral, prompting some on-the-fence supporters to question their faith in the presidential candidate. It’s no surprise the comments have gotten major internet traffic and spurred heated debates and condemnations – the comments were, without a doubt, a disgusting and hostile way of addressing women. But Trump’s misogynistic speech is no new phenomenon. Countless videos have highlighted lewd comments, past and present, he has said. So, why now? Why was this video the end-all be-all of targeted insults? Trump has attacked plenty of groups before, but pretty, white women like Arianne Zucker are the first targets
waiting outside the locker room door. If Trump is an athlete, white women are the cheerleaders with winning smiles that no one wants to see get injured. The Mexicans Trump dubbed “rapists” or the groups of presumably African-Americans Hillary Clinton called “superpredators” in 1996 can mill around the bleachers asking for apologies, but as we’ve seen, the crowd will yell loudest when the cheerleader falls off the pyramid. From politicians’ defenses of their daughters and mothers to Clinton’s “I’m with Her” tagline, it’s easy to see Americans care deeply about keeping the concept of a safe woman in the foreground. While the intentions behind these defenses and taglines are good, they’re still problematic. It’s far too easy to go to bat for a man’s daughter, mother, sister, girlfriend – his “Her” or “she” if that woman is an image
the American people want to accept. But would a woman who defends herself – one who isn’t claimed by a man as a sister, aunt, niece, etc. – be met with the same caring, angry, protective crowd? What about someone who isn’t a woman and isn’t white? If Trump had described sexually attacking a woman of color who didn’t have the status and beauty a celebrity like Zucker does, would the crowd’s response mirror Clinton’s statement about the deaths in Benghazi, “What does it matter at this point anyway”? This is not a condemnation of the uproar over Zucker – the recording is a glaring example of moral corruption. We should be upset about this and understand that the candidate’s comments were not simply a case of testosterone-fueled locker room talk, but disrespectful descriptions of sexual
assault. Ideologies like his – that men should force themselves on a beautiful woman if they please because they’re unable to control themselves – create and encourage the kind of rape culture that allows people like Brock Turner to defend himself on the stand. However, we cannot wait until the star cheerleader gets hurt to worry about the predatory men walking around the stadium and waiting for victims just outside their vile locker room. We shouldn’t be disgusted because Trump’s comments could be about our daughters and mothers – we should be disgusted that one man thinks he has the power and approval to force himself on someone else and create a culture that praises hostility and violence. Get help for the cheerleader, but don’t ignore the other hundreds of victims sitting next to you on the bleachers.
Making Headway
A story about you (and them) Dylan Doyle || Contributing writer ddoyle2@murraystate.edu They hurt you. Someone you trusted, someone you confided in. A dear friend, a significant other, a family member – whoever it was, they said something. They did something. We are not talking about a minor offense here. A line was crossed, and you remember the hot, seething mixture of rage and pain and grief. You remember how it twisted your insides and burned at your tongue until you said things, too. You lashed out in a desperate attempt to make them feel as awful as they made you feel. Mistakes were made. Regrets were born. You do the human thing. You pull out your trusty scissors and cut them off. You carefully slice them out of the fabric of your life, and you find that you enjoy watching the ribbons of memories fall to the floor. You tell yourself you are better without them anyway, and maybe you are right. Then again, maybe you are wrong. Eventually, you realize months have passed. You
become painfully aware of the hole they left in your being. At some point, you assign a word to this empty feeling: you miss them. Nostalgia is a tricky beast, and you know that we often remember the good times and forget the bad. Even so, you miss your person. They hurt you, they shook your core – you have not heard from them since the incident, so on top of all of it, you also feel abandoned. Where do you go from here? I offer this wisdom: stop missing people who are not missing you. He who threw the first stone should also throw the first apology, but life is rarely so clean. You have to decide for yourself if closure is worth swallowing your pride, and so do they. Ideally, they would instigate the conversation. You will be tempted to wait for that to happen, but you are wasting your time. If they have made it this far without you, they do not need you, and perhaps they never did. This is not your concern. Focus on the fact that you have also made it this far without them – it seems you did not need them either, at least not as much as you thought.
Will they come back? Will you finally be able to patch that hole in your quilt, that page of text missing from your book? Perhaps, and perhaps not. In the meantime, resist the urge to close the gap. Do not try to fill the void with other people or empty pursuits. At any rate, why would you want to? You fought hard for that experience – that gap taught you something important. Now you know what you are made of, and you know how to stand on your own. If your person does come back, your relationship with them will be all the better for it. If they do not, your relationship with yourself is more important anyway. You do not know what lies ahead, and that understandably terrifies you. It is natural to be scared of loss, but remember the old cliché: when one door closes, another door opens. In the story of you and them, there is often another chapter waiting to be written. Let that come or not come as the Fates decide. Remember this, though: in the story of you and only you, there is always another chapter in store. Make it one worth reading.
OUR CONTRIBUTORS
Hallie Beard Opinion Editor
Selena McPherson/The News
Austin Gordon Online Editor/Advertising Production • 270-809-5877 agordon4@murraystate.edu
Dylan Doyle Junior from Marion, KY
John Muenzberg Lecturer of philosophy
Robert Valentine Senior lecturer of advertising
Rachel Wood Junior from Birmingham, AL
The News
Opinion
October 13, 2016
Page 5
Letter to the editor
Donald Trump has said terrible things, but none of them would ruin our economy or destroy our country as the election of Hillary Clinton would. There is clear documentation of Clinton’s dishonesty and unworthiness. She has lied continuously about the Benghazi Attack and her State Department emails on her personal server. Clinton makes false promises to everyone to get their votes; Trump makes no false promises. Clinton says that she will raise taxes when elected; Trump will lower taxes.
Clinton has said in private that she wants open borders. This huge influx of immigrants will strain our health care, school, housing, and welfare systems, if not bankrupt them altogether. Open borders will also allow the continued flow of felons, drug traffickers and gang members into the United States. Trump will seal our borders from these bad illegal immigrants. Clinton says publicly she will restrict Wall Street from bad behavior, but privately she tells them that they are the best in deciding their own restrictions. Clinton will continue the federal government control over much of our lives so that she can continue to control of our country’s wealth and power. Trump will make changes which give the control back to the people.
Some Things Considered
Speaking up By Hallie Beard, Opinion Editor
GOT OPINIONS? We want to hear from you! Send your letters and commentaries to the Opinion Editor. See details on Page 4.
Paul Ellis Lexington, Kentucky
Jeers to ... Technology
Cheers to ... Protesting
OK, hear us out. During Fall Break, the Wi-Fi was down in Old Franklin Residence Hall, and recently, Canvas has been glitching a bit. Between internet, Canvas and the thousands of Murray State emails we get on a daily basis, it’s hard to get through a day with zero tech problems. Sigh.
Shailene Woodley was arrested Oct. 11 after protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline over ecological concerns. While other protesters were allowed to leave, Woodley was arrested for trespassing and engaging in a riot (and live streamed the event on Facebook). Kudos to her for standing up for her beliefs.
CHEERS & JEERS Cheers to ... Spookiness
Jeers to ... Clowns
The Pennyroyal Arts Council is hosting an Edgar Allan Poe series of events until Nov. 5 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, one that includes film screenings, story workshops and more. It’s always cool to see Halloween events collaborate with academics, and who doesn’t love a little creepy fiction? Quoth the Raven, “no one.”
Seriously, can the clown madness just stop already? Most people are already frightened by the idea of a masked clown with black balloons, but add the fact that he’s also a serial killer? AND we’re in the woods? Nope. That’s a big fat nope. Someone stop the production of clown costumes immediately, please.
Cheers & Jeers is written by The Murray State News’ Opinion Editor. Questions, comments or concerns should be addressed to hbeard2@murraystate.edu The Fine Print
Sadly, everyone has an opinion Robert Valentine || Contributing writer rvalentine@murraystate.edu As all of us are, I am exposed to a great deal of personal opinion. It makes me sad. I’m not talking about the sprinkling of opinion I get from my spouse of many years. She is a wise person whose opinion is always worth hearing regardless of my own ideas on whatever the subject may be. (Please tell her I said that.) And I’m not talking about the tidal waves of opinion we now receive in the place of socalled “news.” I suppose the news has always been colored with the pastel touch of personal opinion from the editor or network boss down to the reporter or news anchor. Today, however, we get the broad strokes in primary enamel in stark blacks and whites of outright prejudice. Whole panels of talking heads shout over one another to agree among themselves without a single reference to fact or empirical observation. Pure – and often baseless – opinion on the hoof. However, I get even more opinion than most folks because I ask for it. I solicit opinions when I assign a short paper (or a long one) as a means of encouraging college students to crys-
tallize what they know about the subject under discussion. I think it’s a good idea for us to stop in the midst of memorizing dates, names, formulae and lists of components to consider what it all means. Sadly, I’m not looking for what most people think of as “opinion.” Neither are most of the instructors, lecturers, and professors on campus. That’s because most of the opinions written and received, whether on paper on in pixels, are expressions of feelings and guesses with which the student arrived on campus months or years ago. Those are called “uninformed opinions,” and they are worth very little to anyone but least of all to the student. That’s right: although you thought this would be an easy paper because the nice lady just asked for your “opinion” on the subject, you lose. Even if you get an “A” because it was on time, on subject and used real capital letters and standard punctuation, you lose. You lose because you missed the chance to put forth the effort to learn something new. Listening to nice people chat to you about chemistry or European history may be pleasant and informative, but reading from a textbook or assigned article is where the brain really grows. All of the nice people will tell you so. I see legions of people trudging across cam-
pus with what seems to be the sum of their worldly possessions on their backs in stylish knapsacks. There could be books in there somewhere. In any case, many of them are probably in pristine condition. That’s sad, too. Books are for underlining, and their page margins are meant to be filled with question marks and corrections based on what the nice people tell you in those 50-minute chats you have every couple of days. Books are tools for improving your opinion by giving it a foundation – not sacred relics to be preserved until sold back without a mark on ‘em. Reading is not a penance for having chosen college over a career in fast food service; it is not a punishment for having checked your Facebook page during a lecture. (That will come when you take a test). Reading the suggested material before the lecture of the same name gives you better understanding. Your life at college becomes less difficult and more valuable. That’s why they do it this way. It takes less time than the all-night cram that will otherwise precede the exam and makes your tuition payment a valuable investment instead of a painful debt. There are studies that prove it: you could look ‘em up. Anyway, that’s my opinion. You’re entitled to one, too, informed or otherwise.
During Fall Break, I went to Chicago for the Midwest Popular Culture Association conference and presented my first ever conference paper. I imagined it would be terrifying and more nerve-wracking than anything I’d ever done. But to my surprise, it was completely bearable. Could I be, like, growing up and doing OK at life? I’m proud of myself for getting through the presentation – and for surviving a Fall Break that wasn’t a break and launching into classes again – but this is not a bragging column. Rather, it’s a life-analysis one. When I was little, I was painfully shy. I was so shy that, if an adult asked me my name, sometimes I’d just look at mom for her to tell them. I didn’t like talking to hardly anyone and was incredibly uncomfortable if anyone looked at me. Apparently, I was so shy, my parents feared I’d be mute. Though I began to adjust my shell after starting dance classes at age 6, I still had a reputation for being extremely quiet until probably age 15 or so. Even now, in certain crowds, people will comment on my subdued state or tell me I need to talk more, be louder, etc. Thankfully, college has given me so many leadership opportunities that forced me out of the last remains of my rock-hard shell that it’s been ages since anyone has used a word like shy to describe me. Nonetheless, I’m still not the most outspoken person, and giving speeches will never feel natural to me. If someone had told lil Hallie at age 10, 12 or even 18 years old that I’d have to present an important research paper to a bunch of professors and other academics in a big city, lil Hallie would have run away crying, trying to figure out how to avoid responsibilities of the future. Even in May, when my paper was accepted to the conference, tinges of anxiety mixed in with the excitement I felt. Even with the presentation months away, I worried about what I’d say, what I’d wear and how the audience would receive me. Would they value my research? Would they think I was just some dumb blonde undergrad yearning for validation from the big kids? Surprisingly, those worries disappeared when I listened to other presentations on the first day of the conference. Every presenter seemed smart and interesting, sure – but not every presenter impressed me, including the older adults who had tenure professor positions at universities. Again, not to sound incredibly narcissistic, but I realized that I had just as much valuable research to present (and sometimes more) than the people I had been afraid of. After hearing several presentations on topics I knew nothing about, I had a newfound appreciation for the research I’d worked so hard on and saw the value of my findings and writing in a new way. I ended up actually preparing my presentation the night before, making a nifty visual to accompany my speech and stealing the successful tactics of other presentations I’d enjoyed. In the past, advanced preparation for speeches was seriously necessary, and even then, my nerves before public speaking were nearly unbearable. But, when it was my turn to speak, I actually felt fairly confident and successful. Somehow, magically, I did just fine. Looking back, I can’t identify one moment or event that made me stop worrying so much about speaking and performing or at what age I began to notice the change. It’s been a gradual process, but it’s happened. If you’re a fellow worrier, introvert or shy kid, just know it gets better and easier. You learn to conquer and do it well. hbeard2@murraystate.edu
MCPHERSON
SELENA
Comic When will it end?
The News
Page 6
October 13, 2016
The News
Sports
Sports Editor: Sarah Combs Phone: 270-809-4481
Yes We ‘Can’ Bring: 5 canned goods To: Saturday’s Racer football game Get: 2 tickets for the price of one Supporting: MSU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee 11th-Annual Canned Food Drive
@MSUSportsNews
@themurraystatenews
@murraystatenews
Sarah Says
The Murray State News
Brady’s Back
Kelli O’Toole/The News
Murray State’s Steigerwald kicks the ball back into play Sunday against Eastern Kentucky.
Soccer shuts out Eastern Kentucky Quinnen Taylor
game, we have to take care of them all. With our conference, it’s so tight and everybody takes points off of each other. We just got to try to stay as perfect as we can.” Groves also said teamwork and different players stepping up has been important during these wins. “You need somebody who is going to score the majority of goals, but then we need other people to chip in and step in with goals and I think that’s what’s happening,” Groves said. “It happens when you have a team full of confidence.” The Racers started with a
Contributing writer qtaylor1@murraystate.edu
The Murray State women’s soccer team extended its OVC unbeaten streak to 17 with a 3-0 win against the Eastern Kentucky Lady Colonels. The Racers boosted their overall record to 5-4-2 and extended their winning streak to four for the 2016 season. With the unbeaten streak still continuing, Head Coach Jeremy Groves believes every game matters. “I think every one’s important,” Groves said. “We don’t really look at one particular
goal off of a free kick by junior forward Harriet Withers at the 27:01 mark. Murray State held Eastern scoreless in the first half and kept the Lady Colonels to two shots with one shot on goal while the Racers took six shots with two shots on goal. During the second half, Murray State extended the lead to 2-0 after a goal by sophomore forward Cori Cain after a Withers pass at the 61:09 mark and to 3-0 with a goal headed in by senior midfielder Ali Critcher at 78:40. The Racers finished with 13 shots and five shots on goal while the Lady Colonels
ended with five shots and four shots on goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Steigerwald finished the game with four saves to make her second consecutive shutout since her return against Southeast Missouri State last month. Murray State’s next contest will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Eastern Illinois. With two consecutive away games, Withers said they can’t be too concerned with the away game conditions. “Obviously it’s a different ground and traveling is always a little harder than coming to our own field to play,” Withers said. “We try not
to get caught up in that. We know how to play and we just got to do what we do.”
Who’s Next?
v.
Eastern Illinois TIME: 3 p.m. DATE: Friday, Oct. 14 PLACE: Charleston, Illinois
Ingram leads team in victory over Eastern Illinois Bryan Edwards
Contributing writer bedwards16@murraystate. edu
After its five-set thriller Friday night, the Murray State women’s volleyball team was back in action Saturday afternoon in Charleston, Illinois, against the Panthers of Eastern Illinois. Continuing the positive momentum, the Racers were able to sweep the Panthers 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-18). Head Coach David Schwepker said he was pleased with the way the team played, and part of the effort was branched off of Friday’s win. “The team responded well Friday night,” Schwepker said. “Tonight’s outcome could’ve been different had we not won.”
Kristen Besselsen, the redshirt senior from St. Louis who patrols the right side of the court, recorded 12 kills and added nine digs in the winning effort.
Who’s Next?
v.
she has been a big asset in our games.” The Racers jumped to an early lead in all three sets and never looked back. The Racers out-hit the Panthers .256 to .153, recording 52 kills to Eastern Illinois’s 27. Scottie Ingram, senior outside hitter and reigning OVC Player of the Year, led the team with 17 kills while recording another double double with 14 digs. Her 14 digs were second on the team to senior libero Ellie Lorenz who had 20. Senior setter Hannah Stultz led the team with 35 assists. The Racers (10-8, 5-1 OVC) will be in action again at 7 p.m. Friday at Racer Arena against the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech.
Tennessee Tech TIME: 7 p.m. DATE: Friday, Oct. 14 PLACE: Racer Arena Schwepker praised Besselsen on her weekend performance. “Kristen has been awesome this weekend,” Schwepker said. “And since she has come back,
Challice Keith/The News
Racers break down a huddle in Racer Arena against SEMO.
Guess who’s back? Brady’s back, tell a friend. Tom Brady ushered his team to a 33-13 win over the Cleveland Browns, following his fourgame deflategate suspension after the scandal in the 2014 seaSarah Combs son in the Sports Editor 2015 AFC Championship game. The suspension was served for the first four games of the 2016 season and the Patriots went 3-1 despite Brady’s absence. The Patriots had solid quarterback play from Jimmy Garoppolo until he was injured in week two and Jacoby Brissett came into the game and had to take over the play-calling duties for the next two weeks. Whether the balls were or were not deflated is still a major controversy but there is no question if Brady’s play was deflated due to the suspension. Brady led his team to W and boosted their record to 4-1 in his first game back against the Browns. Brady logged less than ‘rusty’ stats with 406 yards and three touchdowns. Patriot fans have been long waiting for Brady’s return. There is a website that had a 30-day countdown of his return, right next to a blowup of his head. Creepy but the time served has been twisted to reveal a “blessing in disguise” take on the suspension. Remaining completely objective on the subject, there is one undeniable factor; fans are experiencing Christmas early this year and his name is Tom Brady. Rob Gronkowski even added a new word to the dictionary, solely describing Brady: Ampness. “Everyone was intense today,” Gronkowski said, warming to his theme. “Everyone was amped up. Tom always brings the ampness,” reported usatoday.com. Such a bromance should facilitate numbers and results - and it did. Brady to the “Gronk” in the fourth quarter led to 37 yards off a floater. Combining Brady’s ‘ampness’ and Gronk’s undeniable energy on the field proved a satisfying sight for Patriot fans. The Patriots are leading the AFC East and are tied with the best record in the conference. Despite Deflategate, one thing is for sure. The Patriots still love Brady and Brady loves the Patriots.
MSU V. UTM White out game
MSU RECORD
Coming off: Bye Week
1-4 1-1 OVC LT Ingram Tillard
LG Kwan Stallworth
WR Jordon Gandy
WR Mitch Stults
Possible Offensive Starters C Brant Newman
QB KD Humphries
RG Ryan Rainey
RT Noah Banks
TE Jesse Blackburn
WR Jonathan Moss
RB Mareio McGraw
Oct. 15 6 p.m. Roy Stewart Stadium Keep up: @murraystatenews @MSUSportsNews
UTM RECORD
Coming off: Austin Peay State 45-31 W
Possible Offensive Starters LT Kadarren Bond
LG Austin Newson
WR Caylon Weathers
WR Kyle Kerrick
C Kenneth Crenshaw
QB Troy Cook
3-2 2-1 OVC RG Robert Burleigh
RT Tyrone Patterson
TE CJ McElrath
WR Ben Axline
RB Jaimee Bowe Graphic courtesy of Sarah Combs
The News
Sports
October 13, 2016
Page 7
Game time for Racer Football All in white Staff Report The Murray State Racers are coming off a bye week and take on the UT Martin Skyhawks at 6 p.m. Saturday at Roy Stewart Stadium. Murray State is 1-4 on the season and 1-1 in the OVC with its lone win against Austin Peay State 45-17 on Oct. 1. UT Martin had its
Homecoming game Saturday and beat the Governors 45-31. The Skyhawks are 3-3 and 2-1 in the conference with OVC wins against Austin Peay and Tennessee Tech. Saturday’s White Out Game features senior quarterback KD Humphries who had a career game against the Governors throwing for 455 yards and converting 49
of 60 pass attempts with five touchdowns through the air and one on the ground. Skyhawk junior quarterback Troy Cook is 75-of-114 for 1,165 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. On the ground, UT Martin is led by Jaimiee Bowe who has 371 yards and five touchdowns on 79 carries. Murray State hasn’t had as much success on the ground as it only has two players who have rushed for more than 30 yards. Freshman running
back Mareio McGraw has 187 yards on 26 carries and one touchdown. McGraw is averaging 7.2 yards per carry and 37.4 yards per game this season. Junior running back Demetric Johnson is the only other Racer who has eclipsed the century mark in rushing for the year with 137 yards on 59 carries. The Racers’ next game will be Oct. 22 on the road against the Eastern Illinois Panthers. Easten Illinois is currently ranked 17th in the country. Chalice Keith/The News
October
Sunday
Monday
Calendar of Sporting Events Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday
Friday
Saturday 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
10
11
12
13
8 15
14
Soccer @ Eastern Illinois 3 p.m. VB v. Tennessee Tech 7 p.m.
16
Soccer @ SIUE 1 p.m.
17
WGolf @ Memphis
18
19
25
26
20
21
22
27
28
29
Tennis @ Middle Tennessee
MGolf @ Austin Peay
23
Tennis @ Middle Tennessee
24
Soccer @ Austin Peay 7 p.m.
Tennis @ Middle Tennessee SB v. Dyersburg State 3 & 5 p.m. Soccer v. Jacksonville State 3 p.m. VB @ Tennessee State 6 p.m.
VB @ SEMO 6:30 p.m.
Soccer: OVC Quarterfinals Rifle v. UT Martin 9 a.m.
Tennis @ Middle Tennessee Rifle v. Jacksonville State & Texas Christian 9 a.m. FB @ Eastern Illinois 1 p.m. VB @ Belmont 2 p.m.
XC: OVC Championship VB @ UT Martin 11 a.m. FB v. Tennessee State 3 p.m. (Homecoming)
Soccer v. Belmont 2 p.m.
30
XC @ Indiana State SB v. Asbury 12 & 2 p.m. VB v. Jacksonville State 2 p.m. FB v. UT Martin 6 p.m.
31
MGolf @ Samford
Chalice Keith/The News
FIRST THREE
RB David Johnson - 92 pts
Defense Vikings - 84 pts
20
7 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
Timberwolves
@ Knicks Wizards
PACERS Oct. 26 Oct. 28 Oct. 29
Oct. 14 Oct. 15 Oct. 18
20
Kicker Adam Vinatieri - 66 pts
Oct. 26 Oct. 29 Oct. 30
6 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 Oct. 28 Oct. 30
7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 Oct. 28 Oct. 29
Mavericks @ Nets @ Bulls
Blackhawks @ Blackhawks
Stars
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Blues @ Predators
Predators
Spurs @ Pelicans @ Suns
7 p.m. 6 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
Knicks @ Raptors Magic
HOCKEY BLUES Oct. 12 Oct. 13 Oct. 15
BLACKHAWKS Oct. 12 Oct. 14 Oct. 15
9:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. 5 p.m.
CAVS
PREDATORS 30
QB Matt Ryan - 119 pts
40
40
TE Greg Olsen - 64 pts
30
WR Antonio Brown - 72 pts
GRIZZLIES
50
50
LE A D E R S
WARRIORS
NBA
Week Five
40
40
FANTASY FOOTBALL
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
@ Blackhawks
Wild Rangers
RED WINGS Oct. 13 Oct. 15 Oct. 17
6:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
@ Lightning
@ Panthers Senators
The News
Sports
Page 8
October 13, 2016
Ranked rifle team continues to shoot lights out
Blake Sandlin
bsandlin1@murraystate.edu Following a first-place finish in the Ole Miss Classic last weekend, Murray State’s rifle program is continuing to put up some of the best scores in the country against top-ranked schools. The Racers capped off their weekend in Oxford, Mississippi, with a final aggregated score of 4690, beating fifth-ranked University of Kentucky and eighthranked University of Memphis in the seven-team tournament. Out of the seven teams competing, five were nationally ranked. In an event where there was numerous talent, Head Coach Alan Lollar chalked his team’s performance up to the persistence they had on the day of match. “As a team, we had the urgency to shoot well on the day we needed to shoot,” Lollar said. “It’s one thing to be able to do it in training, but it’s another thing entirely to be able to do it on game day. So we were really proud of the way Contributing writer
we handled that.” Lollar said that while his team tries to focus more on themselves than on the national rankings of their opponents, it still happens at times. “They know the teams that are shooting close to the scores we are putting up, as well as the ones that are better than us, so it’s hard not to notice,” Lollar said. Most small, mid-major schools like Murray State might relish the opportunity to defeat a larger school like Kentucky. Though Lollar says that he tries not to underestimate any of his opponents. “We treat everyone the same and we try to give everyone the same respect,” he said. “Yet, there is a little more interest in the in-state rivalry. We butt heads so much with them in the year it’s hard to call it competing for bragging rights.” After shooting against topranked teams over the past several years, the Racers earned themselves a fourth-place ranking in the national poll by the CRCA, despite being a smaller school. Lollar believes that in
rifle, success of a program isn’t dependent on size. “In rifle it doesn’t really matter about the size of the school you come from,” Lollar said. “As long as you have the commitment, the work ethic and the support of your school, then you can do the job.” Lollar also believes his team’s consistency over the past years that he feels the Racers have earned the admiration of the opponents that they face, and that they are no longer viewed as an underdog. “Murray State traditionally has been good, even though we’ve been up and down over the past several years,” Lollar said. “I think everybody respects us, I don’t think we sneak up on anybody, and that’s a tribute to the kids. They work hard and they have done a great job at being persistent, and that’s what gets people’s attention.” Leading all shooters in the Ole Miss Classic during the weekend was Murray State shooter Ivan Roe. Roe finished with an aggregated score of 1183. Roe also led his team to a victory in its home opener
Murray State falls by one to Southern Mississippi, gears up for final fall match Collin Morris Contributing writer cmorris29@murraystate.edu The Murray State women’s golf team traveled south Monday and Tuesday in pursuit of its third-straight win but fell short by a single stroke to tournament host Southern Mississippi. After picking up wins at their last two tournaments hosted by Jacksonville State and Southern Illinois, the Racers attended the Golden Eagle Jam tournament hosted by Southern Mississippi. Murray State trailed Central Arkansas by two strokes going into the final 18 holes Tuesday and, despite surpassing the Bears, still found itself as the runner-up after a late effort pushed Southern Mississippi to the top of the leaderboard. Head Coach Velvet Milkman praised her team’s effort and attributed its loss to Southern Mississippi’s play. “It was a great effort,” Milkman said. “I know we didn’t come out on top, but we still played good golf and Southern Mississippi just played a little bit better than we did today. Nothing we can do about that.” For the second-straight
week, the Racers also placed at least three golfers in the top ten. Moa Folke, junior from Tranas, Sweden, finished third, shot 2-over-par with scores of 75-69-74—218. Lucila Puente Rodriguez de Austria, freshman from Seville, Spain, and Linette Holmslykee, sophomore from Veijile, Sweden, tied for seventh, shooting 6-over-par. Rodriguez de Austria and Holmslykee finished with scores of 72-7773—222 and 76-72-74—222 respectively. Milkman said she is comfortable with the Racers’ individual play in the fall season and believes they are on the right path to a team championship in the spring, “You win team championships with depth throughout the lineup,” Milkman said. “Everybody playing well wins championships and they’re all playing well. I’m pleased and proud of how they played today; it just wasn’t quite enough.” In addition to the team’s top finishers, Sydney Kelley, senior from Paducah, Kentucky, placed right outside the top ten. Kelley shot 9-over-par with scores of 73-79-73—225. Raeysha Surendran, freshman
from Selangor, Malaysia, also placed high against those competing individuals. Surendran finished third in a field of ten after shooting 20-over-par with scores of 81-75-80—236. Milkman and her players are often heard using their slogan of “birdie, birdie, birdie,” but their intent to translate that into a witty pun was foiled on Tuesday. “Three in a row was our goal,” Milkman said. “We were going to get shirts that say win, win, win. Maybe now we’ll get shirts that say win, win, second win.” Milkman’s plan for her team T-shirts may have been foiled, but she is still optimistic about the future. “Now our goal is to go in and compete for the top tournament time,” Milkman said. The Murray State women’s golf team has only one tournament remaining in its fall season that will take place Oct. 17-18 in Memphis, Tennessee, at Ridgeway Country Club for the University of Memphis Intercollegiate. Murray State’s first tournament of the spring is the Kiawah Island Intercollegiate hosted by the College of Charleston in South Carolina.
Chalice Keith/The News
The Murray State rifle team was honored for its OVC Championship before the Racer football game against Southeast Missouri State on Sept. 24. against UT Martin, leading all shooters with an aggregated score of 1180. Roe’s performance this year has propelled him to being the second-ranked shooter in the nation, behind West Virginia Olympic gold medalist, Ginny Thrasher. Lollar praised Roe’s perfor-
Women’s
mance on the range thus far, but also showed his admiration of Roe’s commitment to his studies. “One thing about Ivan is that he organizes his time very well,” Lollar said. “He’s a very good student; he won the Elite 90 award at the championships last year for the highest
GPA among the rifle participants. That helps him stay on an even keel throughout the year. There’s no doubt he’s one of the best.” The Racers will be in action again when they face Jacksonville State in their second tri-match on Oct. 22 at the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range.
Golf Recap
Sept. 12-13 Drake Creek Invitational 2nd of 12 teams Sept. 25-27 Jacksonville State’s Chris Banister Classic 1st of 9 teams
Oct. 10-11 Southern Mississippi Lady Eagle Invitational 2nd of 9 teams Oct. 17-18 Memphis Intercollegiate
Oct. 3-4 Southern Illinois’ MVC Preview 1st of 14 teams
Men’s
Sept. 12-13 Murray State Invitational 8th of 10 teams
Oct. 3-4 Skyhawk Classic 4th of 11 teams
Sept. 17-18 Eastern Kentucky Classic 13th of 18 teams
Austin Peay State Intercollegiate Oct. 17-18
Sept. 26-27 SIUE’s Derek Dolenc Invitational 6th of 15 teams
Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Samford Intercollegiate
MSU Student Health Fair October 18, 2016
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Get your flu shot!
(Only available from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM) The New Face of Mexican Cuisine
Daily Specials Monday:
Free cheese dip with 2 lunches or 2 dinners
Tuesday:
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Curris Center Dance Lounge
October 13, 2016
Page 9
The News
Features Editor: Gisselle Hernandez Assistant Features Editor: Brianna Willis Phone: 270-809-5871 Twitter: MSUNewsFeatures
Features
Da’Sha Tuck || Staff writer dtuck@murraystate.edu
Hoping to bridge the gap between international students and Americans students, Murray State’s International Student Organization (ISO) is hosting a soccer game: Global Friendship Soccer Challenge: America v. The World. At 4 p.m. on Oct. 15 there will be two teams facing off in a 90-minute soccer match on the intramural field. One team will be made up of a mix of different fraternities (America) and the other will be a mix of international students (the world). Both teams will be male, but sororities are encouraged to come and support. President of Interfraternity Council (IFC) Michael Mann, senior from Springfield, K e n -
Internationals and Greeks unite for soccer match Graphic courtesy of Austin Gordon/The News
tucky, said the planning was done, mainly, by ISO. He said the goal of the event is to further integrate Murray State Greek Life and international students. “There is an obvious rift between Greek Life and international students,” Mann said. “This game has the potential
Oslin’s journey to new director
Da’Sha Tuck || Staff writer
dtuck@murraystate.edu
Spending most of his career fighting HIV and AIDS in different parts of Africa, Sean Oslin has brought his determination to Heartland CARES, Inc. in Paducah, Kentucky, serving as the new executive director. Heartland CARES is a nonprofit organization that provides HIV/AIDS education, counseling and testing. “I think Sean Oslin is exciting, vibrant and knowledgeable,” said Peggy Pittman-Munke, who serves on the Heartland CARES Board of Directors as secretary and at Murray State as the interim program director for social work. “He has a strong background in HIV/AIDS work both in this country and in Africa. His professional credentials are impeccable.”
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Oslin said he began working
in HIV prevention in 1993. He said it happened by accident, but it launched his career in the direction of HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and treatment. According to the CDC, there is currently no cure for HIV, but with the proper medical treatment, it can be controlled. Working at Rosehedge, a nonprofit organization that provided HIV/AIDS treatment in Seattle as the director of public relations and development, Oslin gained experience he said he was not expecting. He said his office was in the basement where he focused on fundraising and development, but he said he was often compelled to be directly involved with the patients who resided upstairs. Oslin described times where he would hear patients fall and he would rush to help the nurses take care of the patients. He also said he spent time gathering clients who had wandered into the busy streets of
Oslin Seattle because their condition caused them to be confused. During his time working with the patients at Rosehedge, Oslin said he built relationships with the patients, which made it that much harder when HIV/AIDS killed them. “It was very eye-opening,” Oslin said. “I never thought a job where I was having to deal with death on a daily basis would be something I could handle, but overtime I found I was thriving in that environment.”
of eliminating that and making a connection over something that the entire world loves: soccer. Mann said with this game he hopes other connections can be made. Sofia Arichavala, president of ISO and senior from Ecuador, said the international students are excited about the game. She said, for the most part, international students and Americans do not interact and are not involved socially. With this event, she hopes that will change. Arichavala said the idea to have this event came from ISO, the Saudi Student Organization and Marcus Bell, who is a student adviser for Murray State and an ESL instructor (English as a second language). She said they have had soccer tournaments within ISO before, but those were limited to international s t u dents. T h i s time, I S O wanted to expand to include Americans focusing on Greek Life. “We (ISO) want to be a bridge,” Arichavala said. “A bridge so both Greeks and international students can get connected.” Anna Vasquez, ISO adviser and senior from Belize, said there are many events throughout the year that focus on cultural exchange between Americans and international
students, but this soccer game is narrowly tailored. “We decided to focus on the Greek community,” Vasquez said. “Greek Life is a major part of any university just as soccer is a major sport around the world, which makes this match a perfect way to help in the unification of the Greeks and the International students.” Vasquez also said she hopes this event will help raise awareness of the international students on campus. “We have like 775 international students from 59 different countries,” Arichavala said. “You don’t really realize that just walking on campus.” Arichavala said this event will be about sharing cultures and the inclusion of all Murray State students no matter where they are from. She said soccer is a large part of life for international student and being able to share that with Americans will be beneficial. “Sports is a universal language and having a soccer game will create a stepping stone for future projects or events between Americans (Greeks) and international students,” Vasquez said. It is obvious there are international students on campus, Arichavala said. Murray State prides itself on being diverse, but the cohesion of students is lacking. ISO hopes this will become an annual event. Mann said he believes this will be a good opportunity for the Murray State community to come together as one. He said he looks forward to seeing the interactions and any unexpected outcomes like relationships formed. “I do believe that this event is a great opportunity for both Americans and international students to share their cultures and create a bond between them,” Vasquez said.
Millennials: Students share on stigmas behind word Taylor Inman || Staff writer tinman1@murraystate.edu
Millennial. It’s a term that has many definitions and connotations. The definition most know of millennial is the generational one. According to websites like dictionary.com, millennial is just another term for Generation Y. And if someone is born roughly between the years of 1980-1995, even if they don’t want to be, they are considered a millennial, and Murray State has many of them on campus. The negative associations that go along with being a millennial reach far and wide. From article titles like “Millennials: The ‘Me Me Me’ generation” from Time Magazine and “Working with Millennials is the worst” by the New York Post. The Murray State News took to the busier parts of campus to stop and ask students what they think of the stereotypes that accompany their generation.
see MILLENNIAL page 10
Read more at TheNews.org.
‘It’s a Murray thing’: a hometown spotlight Staff report In a small town like Murray, it might be easy to overlook its potential stardom, but Edward Dublin didn’t. Dublin, Murray State alumnus and Murray native, decided to use Murray’s well-known friendliness to his advantage and made a film set in Murray called “Smalltown.” “My father, both of my parents really, used to take me to the VHS store three times a week,” Dublin said. “I would go Tuesday, for the new releases, Thursday and Saturday.” For Dublin, making a film was a process, one he said began while he was still in college. “My friends and I would joke we should make a movie
about our lives,” he said. “But nothing ever came of it.” Dublin said when he graduated in 2009 was around the time the recession hit, so he went to work building houses with his father, Steven Dublin, a professor at Murray State. However, Dublin said his passion for film never died. “It finally got the point where I said, ‘I have to do this,’” he said. He never stopped writing down stories, but Dublin said he never brought one to completion. In 2011, he said he wrote two scripts in two weeks, and then wrote what is now “Smalltown.” He broke the news to his wife and parents, and he said they were supportive and continue to be to this day. So how did Dublin go about
making a full-length film? By October 2012, Dublin said he began filming. They filmed until November of that year. His hired an editor to begin work on the film while the cast and crew were on break for holiday, he said. “We did reshoots in March of 2013, and then spent the next year editing the movie, tried to send it out to every film festival and getting rejected by every film festival,” he said. “Finally we were accepted into the Orlando Film Festival in 2014.” At that film festival, Dublin said he received a best director nomination and his cinematographer, Joshua Lassing, received a best cinematographer nomination. From there the rest, they say, is history. His film showed in another
film festival in New York in January 2015, showed in Paducah, Kentucky, in November 2015, and then a distribution deal was signed with Summer Hill Films. “Smalltown” was officially released on DVD in the United States in Aug. 30 of this year. Dublin said the process of filming was one that turned into more than just a job. “We really came together as this family during filming,” he said. The film even incorporates Murray and Murray-specific jokes. He said he threw in a lot of inside jokes, and references that people who have lived in Murray will pick up on. For Dublin, he said he wanted Murray to really be
see FILM,Page 10
Photo courtesy of imdb.com
The News
Features
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October 13, 2016
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4 p.m. Nativist and Racist Groups in the United States: A Historical Pespective, Faculty all 208
7:30 p.m. Cinema International: “Wild Tales,” Curris Center Theater
2 p.m. Party in Pink Zumbathon, Wellness Center
All day Fantastic Animation: The Imaginative World of Yeon Jin Kim, Clara M. Eagle Gallery
3 p.m. Education Abroad Open Advising, Waterfield Library
8 a.m. Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance, Science, Magic and Medicine, Wrather West Kentucky Museum
7:30 p.m. Presidential Debate Watch Party, Curris Center Theatre
‘Revolution Radio’: Anything but revolutionary
Photo courtesy of musicfeeds.com
FILM
MILLENNIALS
From Page 9
From Page 9
the co-star of the film. However, this doesn’t mean Dublin wanted to make a film only people from Murray could relate to. “I put in a lot of Murray references, and you know I said ‘It’s a Murray thing,’” Dublin said. “But it’s still relatable. They all have that thing in their own town.” He said the greater message of the film, about dreams and “where do we go from here” in college, is relatable to anyone regardless of where they came from. “Smalltown” wasn’t the end of the road for Dublin. “Oh it’s been nonstop since then,” Dublin said. He said he is currently working on another film project, to be shot in Nashville, Tennessee, and wants to write a book also set in Murray. He said outside of his next film project, he wants everything to be set in Murray. If students are also at a crossroads, looking at where to go with their life, Dublin offers hope. “Just do it,” he said. “Just get your friends together, and just do it.”
Dawson McDonald, junior from Hopkinsville, Kentucky said he thinks his generation isn’t as hardworking as the “Greatest Generation”, the generation that grew up during the Great Depression. “There’s not a lot of follow through, when it comes to completing jobs and things of that nature,” McDonald said. “There’s weak character, when compared to the ‘Greatest Generation’.” Many students rejected most of the stereotypes brought up. Cody Hall, a senior from Benton, Kentucky said his generation isn’t lazy, especially when it comes to politics. “I believe that this generation is more politically active than some of the previous ones,” Hall said. “One of the biggest problems we face as millennials is that the older generation is so stuck in their ways that they’re holding back progressiveness.” Teddy Martin, senior from Louisville, Kentucky, said the stereotypes he knows deal with the technological dependence of the generation. “We’re portrayed as technology-dependent,” Martin
U.S. 641 N. Murray 270-753-9622 Circus Skate Murray, KY
Nick Erickson Staff writer nerickson@murraystate.edu
The punk-rock trio Green Day is a textbook-example of musicians who refuse to accept their aging and continually pump out tunes deriving sound from the same roots they’ve always had. After 25 years, their 12th studio album, “Revolution Radio,” has come around. This is the band’s first non-concept album since 2000’s “Warning.” In these 12-tracks, Green Day delivers the same angst and stabby yet poppy instrumentals they did as Californian teenagers, retaining their charm, but without stepping outside of their comfort zone. With the intensity that naturally comes with songs on this end of the music spectrum, there is also the need to appeal to the masses. Playing to the lowest-common denominator, Billie Joe Armstrong’s guitar tone sounds processed and synthetic enough to appease a more general audience unfamiliar with punk. Yet it is still gritty enough to satisfy longtime fans of the band or
said. “Honestly, we just aren’t. I have a couple of friends who hate technology.” But Martin went on to say what most of the students interviewed said, that it all can’t be true. “You just can’t stereotype an entire generation,” Martin said. “Because it’s just too eclectic.” Zenon Garcia, senior from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, said the only time he hears about millennials is from his mother, but he doesn’t agree with her
“
To say that the whole millennial generation is lazy and unappreciative is just not true at all. - Jarmon Robinson,senior from
Belleville, Illinois.
”
when she talks about them. “She seems to think that millennials feel self-entitled,” Garcia said. “I think this generation has become more emotionally aware and sensitive, more so than past generations. And because of that they see us as too sensitive.” Ty Elrod, junior from Benton, Kentucky, also had a lot of negative stereotypes about millennials. “Generally, they’re consid-
punk scene itself. Bassist Mike Dirnt solidifies the low-end of the mix, while drummer Tré Cool’s bombastic percussion induces headbanging. Armstrongs nasally croon is as tuned as ever. It’s everything one could expect from the trio, give or take a few notes. Frontman Armstrong calls out on the album opener “Somewhere Now.” Starting with a surprising melodic acoustic-guitar lead, it’s not long before the fullband verse kicks in with a confident atmosphere. “How did a life on the wild side ever get so dull?,” Armstrong says, aware of the aging lifestyle. Cool’s pounding snare drives this opener’s pace, setting the stage for Armstrong and the minimalistic yet melodic plucking-style of Dirnt. Lead single “Bang Bang” follows next, picking up pace from the opener track. Backed by a predictable yet frantic beat, Dirnt and Armstrong both put into their guitars the anger and speed reminiscent of the band’s hits of the ’90s. The chorus is tuneful but doesn’t hold its weight in memorability
ered lazy, not very hard working,” Elrod said. “A lot of times they get a bad rep for not being able to take anything into consideration and not knowing how the world works.” Jarmon Robinson, junior from Belleville, Illinois, said while he doesn’t believe the stereotypes, he thinks there is some truth to them. “I don’t really believe that’s true, granted, stereotypes come from some form of fact,” Robinson said. “But to say that the whole millennial generation is lazy and unappreciative is just not true at all.” Chelsi Ann Ritter, senior from Louisville, Kentucky, said she thinks her generation is more open than others. “They like to say that we’re like crybabies, but I don’t think that’s the case.” Ritter said. “I think we’re more understanding and giving each other a chance instead of just judging.” The students The News spoke to agreed stereotypes are hard to prove right. “Stereotypes aren’t based out of fact, they’re based out of not thinking enough,” Martin said. “People from older generations that think millennials are ‘just this way or that way’ need to look at the bigger picture instead of a few individuals.”
compared to the likes of the bands past singles including the legendary bass riff of “Longview” from 1994’s “Dookie.” There is a hefty dose of political commentary on “Revolutionary Radio,” much akin to the trio’s 2004 cult classic, “American Idiot.” Some tracks touch upon the current state of the country and a cultural and racial-driven violent agenda. Giving a voice to the relevance of the Black Lives Matter movement, Armstrong sings on the album’s title track of rebellion against the oppression, somewhat a juxtaposition to the group’s proclaimed use of non-violent tactics. “Give me cherry bombs and gasoline,” Armstrong says, setting the tone for the rough instrumentation. “Say Goodbye,” is a mix of forceful stompand-shout and opinion on police violence, as hinted at by the band’s chant. “Say goodbye to the ones that we love” alternating with “Say hello to the cops on patrol.” The album’s more personal songs are where the band truly is at home with their playing. The claps and strums of “Youngblood”
quickly evolve into frantic drumming and a sing-along chant of a girl with youthful charm and a handful of personal mistakes. “Forever Now” is six minutes of numerous crunchy riffs, choruses and key changes, maintaining elements of speedy punkpop and traditional sing-alongs. The closing ballad “Ordinary World” hits close to the heart, yet is secure within the band’s comfort-zone. “Baby, I don’t have much, but what we have is more than enough,” Armstrong sings over stripped-down production and delicate guitar. “Revolution Radio” rarely branches out past the boundaries Green Day has built for itself these past years. Without incorporating fresh elements, the trio has successfully, for the 12th time, put their skills and thoughts out for millions to hear. There is nary a trace of overly-ambitious nature, but “Revolution Radio” proves that reutilizing the same bag of tricks again and again can prove to put out an acceptable release. As long as Green Day is still active, albeit aged, long live teenage angst.
Results from August 2016 survey • 27 percent of U.S. population are millennials. • 83 percent of U.S. millennial smartphone owners text more than they talk on their smartphones. • 87 percent of millennials admit to missing a conversation because they were distracted by their phone. Data courtesy of expandedramblings.com
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The News
Features
October 13, 2016
Page 11 Incorrigible, Defiant Woman
Pop Culture Corner
Disaster film meets humanity
Photo courtesy of decider.com
Childish has a child Actor and rapper Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino has reportedly had a baby with his girlfriend. The current “Atlanta” star certainly has his hands full if the rumors are true. He was spotted back in January with “an unidentified” pregnant woman. Now here we are, in October and it seems it’s true: Childish is no longer childless.
Photo courtesy of funnyordie.com
Ben Affleck’s son betrays his superhero identity Ben Affleck, famous actor, recently revealed that his son is not a Batman fan. In fact, when asked, he said his favorite superhero is none other than: The Flash. Major burn to the most recent actor to portray Batman. He even went a step further saying, “Batman is just my dad.” It’s going to take more than a visit from Alfred to heal these wounds, Batman. Better luck next time.
Soundbyte “And really, the audience needs to calm down here.”
-Martha Raddatz, reminding everyone at the second presidential debate, that she was not there for the theatrics. Pipe down, let the adults talk.
Nick Erickson|| Staff writer nerickson@murraystate.edu
Disaster movies are usually unsettling. What occurs in the film is often an act of nature, therefore, the events unfolding could potentially occur and affect viewers. However, every now and again a film comes along that has the potential to terrify audiences based off the circumstances alone, without the tried and true ‘mother Nature’ motif. Based on true events, director Peter Berg’s newest film “Deepwater Horizon” makes a point of keeping the film as real as possible. With this in mind, the disaster in the film becomes immediately more horrifying and urgent. Detailing the now infamous BP oil spill that occurred April 20, 2010, Berg illustrates the horrors and acts of heroism of that day on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. Berg keeps the focus on the urgency of the situation, rather than exaggerating the heroism of the lead. Never letting the viewers forget that this is indeed a man-made disaster, Berg points blame solely at BP for letting it occur. The film follows Deepwater Horizon’s chief electrical technician Mike Williams (Mark Wahlberg) as he goes into work on the rig the day of the disaster. Mike and the offshore installation manager Jimmy Harrell (Kurt Russell) examine the problems they’re experiencing, noting that 10 percent of their drilling systems are all down. This causes conflict with BP management, led by the venal Donald Vidrine (John Malkovich), as they are overdue on drilling by weeks. Reluctantly, Harrell tests the equipment, but the test triggers an explosion, sending the entire rig up in flames. From then on, the pace is electrifying, as the workers on the rig fight to narrowly escape the burning rig and save their lives. It’s not hard to put oneself into the shoes of the rig employees as reality comes crashing down around them. This film helps make it is easy to visualize what happened during the oil spill, and all of the terror that claimed the lives of 11 men. The explosion is a nightmare, and viewers are put in the middle of the firestorm and, in the mindset of the crew, trapped. It’s sensory overload and will have viewers hearts racing. It is also easy to become angry at BP for not being able to prevent this, and instead letting their own greed turn the tables of them. Not only for the damage the oil caused
Photo courtesy of geeksofdoom.com
A fictional rendering from the film,of the real event of an oil rig that blew up in 2010, leading to an environmental disaster.
Cheri Theatres Friday 4:50 7:15 9:30 Saturday 12:25 2:35 4:50 7:15 9:30 Sunday 12:25 2:35 4:50 7:15 9:30
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the environment, but also for putting the crew onboard at severe risk. Wahlberg’s portrayal of Williams is phenomenal. Instead of what many action films tend to do and romanticize the lead role as a hero who is superior than others and on a pedestal, Williams is viewed as he was at the time of the disaster: a normal, everyday worker and family man. This is one of the many factors that aids in the realism of the film, and makes the heroism of Williams that much greater, proving he is a genuinely good guy who wants to help save his crew and get them off the burning rig safely. Malkovich also does a fantastic job portraying Vidrine and captures the sleaziness and greed one might expect from
corporate higher-power, and the greed of BP that caused the explosion in the first place. “Deepwater Horizon” focuses solely on the events of the day hell reigned on Earth for the crew members of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. Proving the cause and placing blame behind the explosion, the film isn’t meant to entice rage or capitalize on the tragedy of the disaster. Instead, it focuses on the intensity and surrealism of the event. What might be the most terrifying part of the whole catastrophe is the realization that this event could very well occur again. “Deepwater Horizon” will provide sincere thrill, fear, anger and longing to be with lovedones.
Power in Sound Three weeks ago I had the amazing opportunity to see my favorite musician of all time live: Kanye West. Brianna Willis N o w Assistant stay with me, I’m not Features Editor saying you have to like him, or his music, but when I tell you Kanye West changed my life, I mean it. His music makes me feel alive even when I feel there is nothing left to cling to. At the concert, the second the lights went out and the bass kicked in, I was in tears. My friend who went with me was probably slightly unnerved at the fact I just exploded into emotions even I didn’t understand. He was a trooper, though, and I’m thankful he didn’t further embarrass me for totally losing my cool. When he played one of my favorite songs, the crying commenced again. Shocking, I know. This got me thinking though, about the power of music. Seeing him perform “Blood on the Leaves” live gave me that feeling I had the first time I ever heard it. It was like being reborn, and the weight of the sample of a song about lynching, his own pain about a relationship gone bad and the bass was too much for me to handle live. It was too much for me to handle the first time I even heard it, laying on my friend’s pool table. I played that song over and over again when the album first came out. I couldn’t listen to anything else that summer. “Yeezus,” the album it was from, was on a continuous loop in my parent’s car, in my house, even at my friend’s houses. I loved that album and I still do. I’ve written before about depression and about means of coping with life. Music, though, is so powerful it can heal a broken heart, and it can make you smile bigger than the sun. Music can ease the pain of loss, but it can also rekindle fond memories and bring a part of you, you thought you lost, back to life. In the famous words of Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke,” “Music is a world within itself with a language we all understand, with an equal opportunity for all to sing, dance and clap their hands.” To this day when I hear certain songs I am taken back to my first party with friends at Murray, I’m taken back to the night I spent with my friends on top of a water tower just enjoying each other’s company, I’m taken back to a birthday party, to a last goodbye, to the last summer before college. I mean think about movies, some of the best scenes in cinematography are either dead silent, or have a powerful film score driving home the emotion to the viewer. Sounds have power - and music perhaps the most powerful. I went to Rwanda and I danced to the traditional music with local people. I also sang along to “Started from the Bottom” by Drake with our guide. No matter if I understood the words, or if they understood, we could feel. Kanye may not be your cup of tea, but he is mine. The next time you grab a pumpkin spice latte and head into the sun play a song. Next time you are feeling down in the dumps, play a song. Whatever mood you’re in, blast your favorite jam, grab a friend and let the emotions take control. bwillis2@murraystate.edu
Out this week
Photo courtesy of scentodindia.com
Read It
“The Final Season” by Maria M. Cornelius
Photo courtesy of liveforfilms.com
See It
“The Accountant”
Photo courtesy of ultimatemusic.com
Hear It
“Oh My My” by OneRepublic
Photo courtesy bfreestlouis.com
Rent It
“Ghostbusters”
Photo courtesy amazon.co.uk
Play It
“Batman: Return to Arkham”
Page 12
The News
October 13, 2016